The Necessity of Community: Part II
There are often hard to handle issues in our soul that keep us from relating to others deeply and constructively, and it is easier for us to ignore them, and cover them up with social courtesies and appropriate language. We then, allow superficial behavior to suffice as a barometer of spiritual health. Yet superficial behavior and relationships divert attention away from the troubling realities that exist within our soul. Superficiality helps us get by spiritually because we think that conforming our behavior to whatever standards we set creates spirituality. But change in this case is largely external. It is not from the inside out. And its effect is to increase a deep sense of pressure, not freedom.
Change is usually based of human effort, more information, greater knowledge, and more determined attempts at obedience do not necessarily draw us more deeply into relationship with Christ. But Jesus made it clear that doing right in His eyes required far more than the performance of certain activities. The entire law can be summarized in two commands: Love God and love others. We cannot honor these without serious internal change. Moral effort alone can never produce genuine love.
It can be argued that every personal or behavioral problem one might wish to change (bad temper, perverted sexual desires, depression, anxiety, overeating) results ultimately from violations of the command to love. If that is true, then learning to love is not only necessary for spiritual maturity, but also central to overcoming psychological problems. When we are convinced that every problem in life, both between people and within them, reflects a misunderstanding or misapplication of relating that violates God’s standard of love, and when we see that learning to love requires far more than moral effort, perhaps we will be willing to take an honest look inside ourselves to see whether we really love God and love others.
Every effort to change must involve at its core a shift in direction away from dependence on one’s own resources for life to dependence on God. We should change in our approach to relationships. We should love one another as Christ loves, and then we will experience true life change in community.
Love rules in Jesus’ church! Jesus said the world will know whether we are His disciples by the way we love one another.
Change is usually based of human effort, more information, greater knowledge, and more determined attempts at obedience do not necessarily draw us more deeply into relationship with Christ. But Jesus made it clear that doing right in His eyes required far more than the performance of certain activities. The entire law can be summarized in two commands: Love God and love others. We cannot honor these without serious internal change. Moral effort alone can never produce genuine love.
It can be argued that every personal or behavioral problem one might wish to change (bad temper, perverted sexual desires, depression, anxiety, overeating) results ultimately from violations of the command to love. If that is true, then learning to love is not only necessary for spiritual maturity, but also central to overcoming psychological problems. When we are convinced that every problem in life, both between people and within them, reflects a misunderstanding or misapplication of relating that violates God’s standard of love, and when we see that learning to love requires far more than moral effort, perhaps we will be willing to take an honest look inside ourselves to see whether we really love God and love others.
Every effort to change must involve at its core a shift in direction away from dependence on one’s own resources for life to dependence on God. We should change in our approach to relationships. We should love one another as Christ loves, and then we will experience true life change in community.
Love rules in Jesus’ church! Jesus said the world will know whether we are His disciples by the way we love one another.
Terry, your comments on Community is at the heart of why we fail to grow: we play christianity, putting on the right front for everyone, instead of dealing with headon the issues that devestate us. Why? Because of the fear of being judged by others; the fear of being rejected by others; the fear of being hurt by others; and, the fear of facing our own failures and admitting to them. I wrestle with this everyday. Inside I long to deal with my issues, yet those fears hinder me. Thank you for bring this to the forefront of what a Christian Community is to be.
ReplyDeleteI have benefited from all your postings, but this one in particular hit home the hardest.
The church here recently started a Celebrate Recovery program. CR is a Christ-centered 12 step program for those who need help with their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. I started thinking it would be good for others. What I learned is how good it is for me. An important part of the program is sharing. It is beautiful and liberating to be a part of a community that is safe and intimate. I would recommend you find such a group even if you have to look outside your church.
ReplyDelete